Valve condition monitoring system

A method of monitoring a condition of a positive displacement pump, the method comprising:

• supplying a fluid to a chamber at a fluid end of the pump;
• utilizing an intake pressure sensor to acquire intake pressure data of the fluid;
• employing at least one valve defining the chamber to pressurize the supplied fluid and advance from the fluid end;
• utilizing a discharge pressure sensor to acquire discharge pressure data of the fluid from the fluid end;
• utilizing an encoder to acquire position information from moving internal components of the pump during the supplying of the fluid to the chamber, the pressurizing of the supplied fluid and the advancing of the fluid from the fluid end;
• and
• employing an acquisition system to process the intake pressure data, the discharge pressure data and the position information to present the condition of the pump to an operator.

A positive displacement pump assembly for operating at an oilfield and comprising:

• a positive displacement pump with a fluid end and a power end defining a chamber therebetween with at least one valve for governing a fluid flow therein;
• an intake pressure sensor to monitor fluid pressure flowing to the chamber;
• a discharge pressure sensor to monitor fluid pressure flowing from the chamber;
• an encoder coupled to the pump to monitor reciprocation of the at least one valve;
• and
• an acquisition system to acquire the data from each of the sensor and the encoder for establishing a substantially real-time condition of the operating pump.